Kevin Williams, right, sacks Chicago quarterback Josh McCown in the third quarter as the Vikings lose 17-13 to the Bears at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on January 1, 2012. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

Taking Kevin Williams off the field on third-and-long used to require a permit, maybe a fine or a court appearance.

He’s “The Ticket,” after all.

But the Vikings have done it a few times this season, to the disbelief of Williams.

“It was shocking to me,” he said.

Williams understands the Vikings have good intentions. They want to keep the 315-pound 32-year-old fresh later in games and later into the season, believing he still affects offensive game plans.

Although he has only four tackles and no sacks in two games this season, Williams got steady quarterback pressure last week against Indianapolis and anchored the run defense.

With the Vikings giving Everson Griffen a longer look, however, Williams is the one who suffers. He played 49 snaps last week compared with 60-plus snaps for ends Jared Allen and Brian Robison.

Ask a five-time Pro Bowl tackle to come off the field on third down, and he’ll tell you to go eat a Snickers. No wonder he has looked frustrated at times.

Upon further review, Williams sees the benefits, too.

“I know at the end of the day we’re trying to do it for the betterment of the team,” said Williams, who also has a fumble recovery. “It will take a few games getting used to. If it will help my production in the long run, why not give it a shot?”

Actually, the Vikings’ much-ballyhooed story line of a defensive line rotation has been pretty tame. Griffen is the only backup seeing a consistent snap increase. D’Aundre Reed, a budding preseason talent, is holding his helmet on most plays. Second-year tackle Christian Ballard is still waiting to emerge.

Coach Leslie Frazier said he’s pleased with Williams’ play, which complicates the snap-count matter. He doesn’t want to take him off the field too often. Then he remembers Williams is in his 10th season.

“We’re trying to spot him at times with the belief that’s going to keep him stronger,” Frazier said. “We’re trying to do something for the long term as well as the short term.”

Williams doesn’t mind being in the long-term plans. He wants to retire a Viking and has made clear he wants a new contract, though he’s not concerned with that now. He plans to have his best year in a while and let the offseason take care of the financials. He’s playing injury-free for the first time in a few years.

Williams has three years left on a deal that pays $7 million per year, a steep price once he approaches his mid-30s.

Frazier said he doesn’t plan to consistently take Williams off the field on third down, which reminds Williams of an idea.

“I say let the young guys do first and second down,” Williams said. “I don’t know if they’ve earned some of my third-down reps. Let them get some of those double teams.”

Williams has fended off double teams for most of his career, especially in recent years without now-retired Pat Williams.

He doesn’t mind absorbing them, as long as the defensive line picks up its sack total. Williams, Allen and Robison combined for 35 sacks a season ago but have zero through the first two weeks.

Getting their first could be an arduous task Sunday against a stout San Francisco offense that gets the ball out of the pocket quickly. Sometimes, the best approach to Alex Smith’s quick passing game is to “push your guy as deep as you can and put your hand up,” Williams said.

For the few chances at a full-on pass rush on third-and-long, Williams plans to wreak havoc.

Assuming he’s out there, of course — a point he hopes he doesn’t have to address next week.

“We’re going to see how this game goes and go from there,” said Williams about whether he plans to talk to coaches about his snaps.

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